Liberal Arts and 55+ program
SFU’s Liberal Arts and 55+ Program has been offering intellectually rich non-credit courses to older adult learners since the 1970s. Offered year-round, our courses cover topics ranging from art and literature to history, science, philosophy and more.
Classes are open to learners of all ages, with a tuition discount for those 55+.
Please note that upon guidance from the Canada Revenue Agency, we now charge GST on Liberal Arts and 55+ courses.
Summer 2025 courses
Our next courses will begin in May and registration will open on April 16.
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Tuition assistance
Online Learning
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If you’re 55+, you’re eligible to enroll in the Liberal Arts for 55+ Certificate. This optional program will allow you to:
- Deepen your learning by writing a reflective essay at the end each course
- Earn a certificate that confers SFU alumnus status along with its benefits
- Take any Liberal Arts and 55+ courses you wish
- Complete the program at your own pace
New to online learning or need help writing an essay? Register for a free online class.
Program details
Format
Part-time
Location
Vancouver, online
Program completion
No time limit
Complete 128 contact hours (usually 10–12 courses)
Course duration
4–6 weeks (2 contact hours/week)
Courses
Choose 10-12 courses offered by Liberal Arts and 55+ program
Schedule
Courses offered in all 3 SFU terms:
Jan–Apr
May–Jun
Sep–Dec
Essay requirements
Complete a 1,000- to 1,500-word essay at end of each course
Tuition
Pay individual course fee + $20 essay marking fee/course
Tuition assistance
Email csla@sfu.ca for details on available financial support
How to enroll
Register for any course and select the “Liberal Arts for 55+ Certificate Fee” optional add-on before completing your registration
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For one keen group of students in the Liberal Arts and 55+ program, taking the plunge into online learning has led to the creation of a supportive writing community.
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A dedicated lifelong learner, Hugh Lindsay has taken 70 courses in SFU’s Liberal Arts and 55+ Program over the past 15 years. For his 69th course, he enrolled in something unexpected: the art of stand-up comedy.
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When the pandemic began, Patricia Roth felt her world shrink to the walls of her Ottawa home. While everything around her shut down, she was still able to keep her mind active, thanks to online learning.
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